Software development support device, software development support method, and software development support program

ABSTRACT

A software development support device, a software development support method and a software development support program capable of efficiently developing software are provided. A software development support program executed by a software development device is provided with a connection setting screen in which a object slave ECU to be controlled by a master ECU or a load based on an input from an input device, a label setting screen in which a label is set in a load state based on the input from the input device that are displayed on a display device, and an operation setting screen in which an operation of the master ECU is set for the slave ECU and the load based on the input device that is displayed on the display device selecting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a software development support device,a software development method and a software development support programthat support development of software, etc. in an electronic control unit(ECU) mounted on a vehicle, for example.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, the performance of automobiles has been improved, andmany ECUs are mounted on one vehicle. These ECUs control an engine, atransmission, as well as a power window, a lamp, a door mirror and thelike. To create such ECU software, source code was manually input afterunderstanding the specification of a microcomputer (microcomputer)included in the ECU or communication standards of system to which theECU is connected.

Then, the created source code (software) is, for example, tested with anevaluation device described in Patent Literature 1 to check functions orso. The ECU evaluation device described in Patent Literature 1 collectsverification data for verifying an ECU specification model that definesfunctions of the ECU to be evaluated, and generates input data to theECU based on the obtained verification input data. And the ECUevaluation device determines whether expected value data of an output ofECU specification model and output data based on the input data whichthe ECU outputs match, and evaluates the operation of the ECU based onthe determination result.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2015-5189

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in a step prior to deciding specifications in which changes insetting values such as parameters frequently occur or in the case ofverifying while watching an operation on a real machine, it is not easyfor a non-programmer system personnel to modify source code. Therefore,it was inefficient because asking cooperation of dedicated department orthe like every time a change or correction is made.

Therefore, the present invention, in view of the above problems, is toprovide a software development support device, a software developmentsupport method and a software development support program capable ofefficiently developing software.

The invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems relates to asoftware development support device characterized by including aselection section from which a control object of ECU is selected basedon an input of an operation input section, and an operation settingsection configured to set an operation of the ECU for the control objectselected by the selection section based on the input from the operationinput section.

As described above, according to the present invention, parts such ascontrol object or operation settings can be set by an intuitive methodsuch as selection regardless of source code. Therefore, even a systemengineer, who is a non-programmer, can easily make changes andcorrections, and efficiently develop software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a software developmentsupport device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation in the software developmentsupport device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an example of a connection setting screen in the flowchartshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an example of a connection setting screen in the flowchartshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an example of a label setting screen in the flowchart shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an example of a label setting screen in the flowchart shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an example of label setting screen in the flowchart shown inFIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is an example of an operation setting screen in the flowchartshown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configurationdiagram of such a software development support device related to anembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a software development support device 10 utilizes awell-known personal computer, and includes a central processing section(CPU) 11 for performing such operations of the entire device accordingto a predetermined program. This CPU 11 is connected to a ROM 12 whichis a read-only memory storing a program for the CPU 11 via a bus B, anda RAM 13 which is a readable and writable memory having a work area orthe like for storing various data required for processing operations ofthe CPU 11.

A storage device 14 is connected to the CPU 11 via the bus B, for which,for example, a hard disk device, a large-capacity nonvolatile memory, orthe like is used. The storage device 14 stores software developmentsupport program to be described, and various data necessary for thesoftware development support program. The software development supportprogram and the various data are installed from an optical disk ordownloaded via a network into a storage 14.

An input device 15, a communication device 16, a display device 17, andthe like are connected to the CPU 11 via the bus B. The input device 15has a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs input datacorresponding to an operation of the developer to the CPU 11. Thecommunication device 16 uses a communication device such as a LAN cardand a cellular phone modem. Then, the communication device 16 outputsreceived information to the CPU 11 and transmits information input fromthe CPU 11 a designated transmission destination.

As the display device 17, various display devices such as a well-knownliquid crystal display and a CRT are used. Then, the display device 17displays various information under control of the CPU 11. In otherwords, the device 17 functions as a display section for displayingvarious screens that support ECU program development based on thevarious information. With these various screens, the softwaredevelopment support device 10 supports program development by thedeveloper.

Next, the operation (software development support method) in thesoftware development support device 10 of the above describedconfiguration will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.2. That is, the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 shows operations of theprogram (software development support program) to be executed by the CPU11. The software development support program mainly described in thisembodiment is for design and development of software that operates on amaster ECU of an ECU system that communicates in a master-slave manner.

First, a connection setting is performed in step S1. The connectionsetting means setting of the slave ECU to be connected to the master ECUand a load to be connected to the slave ECU. Information of the ECU, theload and the like used for the connection setting is set as hardwareinformation D1, and the CPU 11 reads out and displays on a displaydevice 17 the hardware information D1. FIGS. 3 and 4 show screenexamples displayed on the display device 17 when setting up theconnection setting.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connection setting is performed with the inputdevice 15 by operating a connection setting screen 100 displayed on thedisplay device 17. The connection setting screen 100 includes adevelopment object ECU101, a system name 102, a load etc. setting area103, a load etc. selection area 104, a flag management area 107, and aflag addition button 108. That is, the connection setting screen 100functions as a selection section in which the control object of the ECUis selected based on the input from the input device 15 (operation inputsection).

The development object ECU 101 sets the ECU which is the developmentobject. The development object ECU 101, as shown in FIG. 3, may bedisplayed as an icon or the like, or may be character information or thelike. The system name 102 denotes a column for inputting a name of asystem to be developed. Note that the development object ECU 101 or thesystem name 102 is optional and need not be provided.

On the load etc. setting area 103, the ECU (slave ECU) controlled by thedevelopment object ECU (master ECU), and a load connected to the slaveECU are set. That is, the control object of the master ECU in thepresent embodiment is hardware. Connection relation of the hardware isset on the connection setting screen 100. The load etc. setting area103, as shown in FIG. 3, is provide plurally, and slave ECU can be setplurally.

The load etc. setting area 103 includes an ECU slot 105, and a load slot106. The ECU slot 105 is set such that an icon and the like of the ECUselected from the slave ECU selection area 104 a of a selection area 104described later is dragged and dropped. In the example of FIG. 3, threeECU slots 105 have been set, where an illumination ECU, a motor ECU, anda heater ECU are each set.

The load slot 106 is set by dragging and dropping the selected load iconor the like which is selected from a load selection area 104 b of a loadetc. selection area 104 described later. In the example of FIG. 3, apush switch (SW) and two three-primary-color LEDs are set for theillumination ECU. A push switch, a Hall IC, and a single motor (Motor×1)are set for the motor ECU. Furthermore, a push switch, a variableresistor, and two heaters (heater×2) are set for the heater ECU.

In the load slot 106, when the slave ECU is set, a type of availableload capable of being connected to the slave ECU is displayed (referencenumeral 106 a). The load type 106 a can be identified by a type name.Further, color may be changed for each type. For example, when switch(SW) and LO-SIDE are available as types of loads that can be connectedto ECUs, the switch may be displayed in light blue and the LO-SIDE inorange.

The load etc. selection area 104 has an ECU or load that can be set inthe load etc. setting area 103 displayed. That is, the load etc.selection area 104 functions as a control object display section onwhich a control object is displayed.

The load etc. selection area 104 includes a slave ECU selection area 104a and a load selection area 104 b (see FIG. 4). The slave ECU selectionarea 104 a and load selection area 104 b can be switched to each otherby a tab type.

In the slave ECU selection area 104 a, the ECU to be connected to themaster ECU as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed as an icon or the like. Andany ECU icon is selected from these displayed icons etc. and is set tothe ECU slot 105 by drag and drop operation.

In the load selection area 104 b, as shown in FIG. 4, the load isdisplayed as an icon or the like. Then, the icon of the arbitrary ECU isselected from the displayed icons and the like, and is set to the loadslot 106 by drag and drop operation.

Here, what are included in the load displayed in the load selection area104 b in the hardware information D1 are in principle all displayed.This is because, as shown in FIG. 4, if a plurality of slave ECUs isset, load can be freely set for any slave ECU.

Therefore, depending on the load, the load slot 106 corresponding to theunconnectable ECU may be set mistakenly. Therefore, the icons arecolored and displayed according to the load type 106 a described above.For example, if the switch is light blue in the load type 106 a, thecorresponding icon (push switch, toggle switch) is colored light blue.Also, if the LO-SIDE is orange in the load type 106 a, the icons(single-color LED×3, single-color LED×4, three-primary-color LED) arecolored orange corresponding to the LO-SIDE. Matching the color of theicon and the type of load can prevent combination of ECU and load thatcannot be connected in principle from being set.

That is, the load selection area 104 b (the control object displaysection) displays the control object in different colors according tothe type of the control object, and the load slot 106 (control objectsetting section) is indicated with sellable type of colors.

Next, label setting is performed in step S2 of FIG. 2. The label settingis to set an arbitrary label for load condition set in the load slot106. FIGS. 5 and 6 show specific examples of the Label setting.

As shown in FIG. 5, the label setting is performed by operating thelabel setting screen 110 displayed on the display device 17. The labelsetting screen 110 is displayed by clicking the icon of the load inwhich label is set on the connection setting screen 100. That is, thelabel setting screen 110 is displayed on the display device 17associated with the load icon (control object) selected on theconnection setting screen 100.

The label setting screen 110 includes a load 111, a name 112, a label113, and a state 114. That is, the label setting screen 110 functions asa label setting section that sets a label in an operation status of thecontrol object based on the input on the input device 15 (operationinput section).

The load 111 indicates the specific contents of the load indicated bythe icon. For example, in the case of the push switch in FIG. 5, up tofour switches can be set, but only one is selected by the check box. Thename 112 indicates the name of the load. For example, in FIG. 5, apersonal lamp SW is set, and a name associated with another load(three-primary-color LEDs) can be set.

The label 113 can be set for each state 114 described later, and anarbitrary name can be denoted. In the example of FIG. 5, while thecontents are the same as those of the state 114, for example, the labelof the state “press” may be set to “ON”, and the label of the state“release” may be set to “OFF”. This label 113 is to support developmentsuch that at the time of operation setting described later, when it isdifficult to understand terms and the like set in the state 114 or whenit is difficult to identify multiple statuses, the name or thedescription and the like can be applicable. Therefore, the label settingis optional and the contents may be the same as the status 114, or thelabel 113 may not be set. Or the default label can be set automaticallyand can be changed arbitrarily.

The state 114 indicates the state of the load. In the example of FIG. 5,as it is a push switch, two states of “press” and “release” are set.This state is set in advance in the hardware information D1.

Note that the load state is not limited to one item of the state 114 asshown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows the label setting screen 110 forthree-primary-color LEDs as a load. Where the load 111, the name 112,and the label 113 are only changed to contents according to the contentsof the load (three-primary-color LEDs).

On the other hand, the label setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 6 isprovided with a color 115 and a luminous intensity 116 as state. Thecolor 115 indicates color when the three-primary-color LEDs emit light,white, rose, green, blue or the like can be set from a pull-down menu,and this color includes an OFF state. The luminous intensity 116indicates brightness when the three-primary-color LEDs emit light, andcan be set from pull-down menu by 1% unit from 1 to 100% (by 10% unit,etc. instead of 1% unit).

In the example of FIG. 6, the label 113, while having the same contentsas the color 115, may have such contents as being combined with aluminous intensity such as “white 100”. In other words, if there is anitem of multiple states as a label, the combination of them is set to alabel, making easier to perform operation setting.

Also, the label setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with acondition 117, a value 1 and a value 2. The condition 117 indicates anoutput condition of the Hall IC as a load. The value 1 and the value 2indicate the values of the output conditions of the Hall IC. That is,the value 1 and the value 2 indicate variables. In this way, the labelcan be set also with variable included in the state.

Further, on the connection setting screen 100, a flag management area107 and a flag addition button 108 are provided (see FIGS. 3 to 7). Theflag management area 107 can set various flags used in the program(software) of the master ECU. In FIGS. 3 to 7, two of SW1_FLAG andSW1_TOGGLE is set. Flag addition button 108 is operated when a new flagis added.

Next, the operation is set in step S3 in FIG. 2. The operation settingrefers to setting operation of the software that runs on the master ECUusing each of the setting contents of the connection setting in step S1and the label settings in step S2. FIG. 8 shows a specific example ofthe operation setting.

As shown in FIG. 8, the operation setting is performed by operating anoperation setting screen 200 displayed on the display device 17 with theinput device 15. The operation setting screen 200 can, for example,switch from the connection setting screen 100 using a file menu or thelike. The operation setting screen 200 includes a work adding section201, a condition adding section 210, and an output adding section 220.That is, the operation setting screen 200 works as the operation settingsection that sets the operation of the ECU for the control objectselected by the connection setting screen 100 (selection section) basedon the input from the input device 15 (input section).

The operation adding section 201 sets the operation of the master ECU.An action is a function or a subroutine and the like for example. Theoperation adding section 201 includes an operation definition 202 and aprocessing cycle 203. The operation definition 202 defines an operationname (a function name, a subroutine name, and the like). In example ofFIG. 8, three functions are defined such as PERSONAL LAMP SWPRESS→PERSONAL LAMP_ON, PERSONAL LAMP SW PRESS→PERSONAL LAMP_OFF andLAMP SW RELEASE.

The processing cycle 203 sets a cycle of the operation defined by theoperation definition 202. In the example of FIG. 8, 100 ms(milliseconds) is set, but may be any other time, and the cycle may varyfrom operation to operation.

A condition adding section 210 and an output adding section 220 are setfor each operation defined in the operation definition 202. That is, thecondition adding section 210 and the output adding section 220 indicatespecific operation contents of each function and the like. The conditionadding section 210 includes an input 211 and a logic 212. The input 211sets input (input condition) of the concerned operation. The logic 212sets multiple inputs 211 when performing logical operation.

The example of FIG. 8 shows input about operation of [PERSONAL LAMP SW]press→[PERSONAL LAMP_ON]. In FIG. 8 [PERSONAL LAMP SW] press, [SW1_FLAG]receive, and [SW1_TOGGLE] STATE 0 are set as input. This press [PERSONALLAMP SW] displays the name 112 of the label setting and label 113 shownin FIG. 5. Similarly, receive [SW1_FLAG] and [SW1_TOGGLE] STATE 0 alsoshow the flag name of the flag management area 107 and its state.

“AND” is set as the logic 212 in the example of FIG. 8. That is, logicaloperation is set as the logical product. That is, when the personal lampSW is in the pressed state, SW1_FLAG is in an accepting state andSW1_TOGGLE is in state 0, an output described later is not performed. Inthe example of FIG. 5, there are two logics 212, which can be increasedor decreased corresponding to the number of inputs 211. Further, thelogic 212 may set, not limited to “AND”, other logic operation such as“OR” (logic sum) and “Ex OR” (exclusive OR).

The output adding section 220 shows specific output contents made at thetime that the condition set by the condition adding section 210 in eachoperation (function, etc.) is true. The output adding section 220includes the output 221. The output 221 sets the output (outputinformation) of the operation.

In the example of FIG. 8, the output of operation is shown of PERSONALLAMP SW PRESS→PERSONAL LAMP_ON. In FIG. 8, [PERSONAL LAMP] ON,[SW1_FLAG] STOP, and [SW1_TOGGLE] STATE 1 is set as outputs. In this[PERSONAL LAMP] ON, the label setting name 112 and the label 113 arealso displayed in the same manner as the input 211. Note that “PERSONALLAMP” and “ON” displayed in FIG. 8 shown in FIG. 8 is the name and labelset for the three-primary-color LEDs of LO-SIDE instead of the pushswitch shown in FIG. 5. That is, different loads may be set for theinput and the output.

In the example of FIG. 8, when the input set in the condition addingsection 210 is true, the personal lamp is set to be turned on, SW1_FLAGstopped, and SW1_TOGGLE in state 1.

As described above, the condition adding section 210 functions as aninput setting section for setting input conditions for the operation ofthe ECU based on the label 113 set on the label setting screen 110(label setting section). Further, the output adding section 220functions as an output setting section that sets the output informationcorresponding to the input condition set in the condition adding section210 (input setting section).

Then, when the operation is completed up to the operation setting instep S3, an execution file is generated in step S4 in FIG. 2 and isoutput based on the operation setting of step S3. In this step S4 anexecution file may be generated after automatically generating sourcecode as an intermediate file, or the execution file may be generateddirectly.

The generated execution file D2 is transferred to the master ECU by apredetermined means, and verification such as debugging with realmachine works. Then, if it becomes necessary to make corrections, stepS1 is executed. At the time of correction, for example, when the settingon the label setting screen 110 is changed, step S1 may be omitted.Alternatively, if setting on the operation setting screen 200 wants tobe changed, the settings, steps S1 and S2 may be omitted.

As is clear from the above description, step S1 works as a selectionstep, and step S3 is an operation setting step.

In the software development program executed by the software developmentdevice 10 of the present embodiment, the connection setting screen 100for selecting the slave ECU and the load is displayed on the displaydevice 17 which is controlled by the master ECU based on the input fromthe input device 15. And the label setting screen 110 for setting thelabel for the load state based on the input from the input device 15 onthe display device 17. Further, in the software development program theoperation setting screen 200 is displayed on the display device 17 thatsets the operation of the master ECU with respect to the slave ECU andthe load based on the input from the input device 15.

With such software development program, the parts of the control objector the operation settings can be set in an intuitive way, such asselection, instead of operation such as inputting source code. Also,setting labels can make the contents, difficult-to-understandconditions, and difficult parameters easily understood and identified.Therefore, non-grammar system personnel can easily make changes andcorrections, and efficiently use software development.

The operation setting screen 200 is provided with the condition addingsection 210 for setting input conditions based on the label set on thelabel setting screen 110, and the output adding section 220 for settingoutput information corresponding to the input conditions set in thecondition adding section 210. Therefore, it is possible to set the inputconditions and the output information based on the label. Therefore,even non-programmer system personal can easily make changes andcorrections.

Also, the label setting screen 110 is displayed when clicking the iconof the load selected on the connection setting screen 100, making easyto set labels for each load.

The connection setting screen includes the load selection area 104 fordisplaying the selectable slave ECU and the load, and the load etc.setting area 103 in which the slave ECU and the load selected from theload etc. selection area 104 are set. The load etc. selection area 104changes in color and displays the icon corresponding to the type of theload, and the load etc. setting area 103 is displayed in which thesellable load type 106 a differs in colors. Therefore, settingcombination of ECU and the load that cannot be connected can beprevented.

Although the above-described embodiment develops the software thatoperates on the master ECU of the ECU system communicating in themaster-slave system, it can also be applied to software development forthe slave ECU. With the slave ECU, only the load may be set in the loadetc. setting area 103. In other words, if the ECU has the controlobject, the slave and the slave are not particularly limited.

In addition, input means such as pull-down menus, check boxes, or drag,drop, and the like on the screens shown in the above-describedembodiment are not limited to the illustrated means, and otherwell-known means may be appropriately applied.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In otherwords, those skilled in the art can make and perform variousmodifications according to the conventionally well-known knowledgewithout departing from the gist of the present invention. Themodifications, as long as has the configuration of the softwaredevelopment support device, the software development support method andthe software development support program according to the presentinvention, are included in the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 Software development support device-   11 CPU-   15 Input device (operation input section)-   17 Display device (display section)-   100 Connection setting screen (selection section)-   103 Load setting area (control object setting section)-   104 Load selection area (control object display section)-   110 Label setting screen (label setting section)-   113 Label-   114 State (state of operation in the controlled object)-   115 Colors (operational state of the control object)-   116 Luminous intensity (state of operation in controlled object)-   117 Condition (State of Operation in Controlled Object)-   118 Value 1 (operation state of the control object)-   119 Value 2 (operation state of the controlled object)-   200 Connection setting screen (operation setting section)-   210 Add condition (input setting part)-   220 Output added (output setting part)

What is claimed is:
 1. A software development support device comprising:a selection section for selecting a control object of an ECU based on aninput from an operation input section; an operation setting sectionwherein an operation of the ECU is set for the control object selectedby the selection section based on the input from the operation inputsection; and a display, wherein the control object includes a slave ECUand a load connected to the slave ECU, and wherein the selection sectionis configured to control the display to display a first screen, whereinthe operation setting section is configured to control the display todisplay a second screen separate from the first screen, wherein thefirst screen comprises a plurality of sections configured to accept onesof a plurality of control objects of a plurality of ECUs including thecontrol object of the ECU, and wherein the ECU is a master ECU of theplurality of ECUs which are slave ECUs of the master ECU.
 2. Thesoftware development support device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a label setting section in which a label is set in a state ofthe control object based on the input from the operation input section.3. The software development support device according to claim 2, whereinthe operation setting section includes an input setting section forsetting an input condition of the operation of the ECU based on thelabel set at the label setting section, and an output setting sectionfor setting output information corresponding to the input condition setat the input setting section.
 4. The software development support deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the selection section is provided with acontrol object display section on which the control object is displayedon a display section, and a control object setting section where thecontrol object is selected from the control object display section basedon the input from the operation input section, wherein the controlobject display section displays the control object in different colorsaccording to a type of the control object, and the type that can be setis indicated by a color in the control object setting section.
 5. Thesoftware development support device according to claim 3, wherein thelabel setting section is displayed on a display section associated withthe control object selected by the selection section.
 6. The softwaredevelopment support device according to claim 5, wherein the selectionsection is provided with a control object display section on which thecontrol object is displayed on a display section, and a control objectsetting section where the control object is selected from the controlobject display section based on the input from the operation inputsection, wherein the control object display section displays the controlobject in different colors according to a type of the control object,and the type that can be set is indicated by a color in the controlobject setting section.
 7. The software development support deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the label setting section is displayed ona display section associated with the control object selected by theselection section.
 8. The software development support device accordingto claim 7, wherein the selection section is provided with a controlobject display section on which the control object is displayed on adisplay section, and a control object setting section where the controlobject is selected from the control object display section based on theinput from the operation input section, wherein the control objectdisplay section displays the control object in different colorsaccording to a type of the control object, and the type that can be setis indicated by a color in the control object setting section.
 9. Thesoftware development support device according to claim 2, wherein theselection section is provided with a control object display section onwhich the control object is displayed on a display section, and acontrol object setting section where the control object is selected fromthe control object display section based on the input from the operationinput section, wherein the control object display section displays thecontrol object in different colors according to a type of the controlobject, and the type that can be set is indicated by a color in thecontrol object setting section.
 10. The software development supportdevice according to claim 1, wherein the selection section is providedwith a control object display section on which the control object isdisplayed on a display section, and a control object setting sectionwhere the control object is selected from the control object displaysection based on the input from the operation input section, wherein thecontrol object display section displays the control object in differentcolors according to a type of the control object, and the type that canbe set is indicated by a color in the control object setting section.11. The software development support device according to claim 1,wherein the master ECU is configured to control each of the plurality ofcontrol objects through respective ones of the plurality of ECUs,wherein the operation setting section is configured to control thedisplay to display ones of a plurality of second screens, including thesecond screen, separate from the first screen and respective to each ofthe ones of the plurality of ECUs, and wherein each of the plurality ofsecond screens comprises at least one portion configured to receive auser selection of at least one of logical operations between functions,wherein the logical operations comprise an AND operation, an ORoperation, and an XOR operation.
 12. A software development supportmethod that is executed by a software development support device thatsupports development of ECU software, comprising the steps of: aselection step of selecting a control object of an ECU based on an inputfrom an operation input section; an operation setting step of setting anoperation of the ECU for the control object selected in the selectionstep based on the input from the operation input section, wherein thecontrol object includes a slave ECU and a load connected to the slaveECU, wherein the selection step further comprises controlling a displayto display a first screen, wherein the operation step further comprisescontrolling the display to display a second screen separate from thefirst screen, wherein the first screen comprises a plurality of sectionsconfigured to accept ones of a plurality of control objects of aplurality of ECUs including the control object of the ECU, and whereinthe ECU is a master ECU of the plurality of ECUs which are slave ECUs ofthe master ECU.
 13. A software development support program, comprising:functioning a computer of a software development support device thatsupports software development of an ECU as a selection section forselecting a control object of the ECU based on an input from anoperation input section, and an operation setting section for setting anoperation of the ECU for the control object selected by the selectionsection based on the input from the operation input section, wherein thecontrol object includes a slave ECU and a load connected to the slaveECU, wherein the selection section is configured to control a display todisplay a first screen, wherein the operation step is configured tocontrol the display to display a second screen separate from the firstscreen, wherein the first screen comprises a plurality of sectionsconfigured to accept ones of a plurality of control objects of aplurality of ECUs including the control object of the ECU, and whereinthe ECU is a master ECU of the plurality of ECUs which are slave ECUs ofthe master ECU.